The Project was born in the heart of Bill Stephenson during several short-term mission trips to the north coast of the Dominican Republic. While working and ministering among the Haitian immigrants near Puerto Plata, Bill observed that while much humanitarian aid could meet physical needs, there was a spiritual hunger that remained unfed. Subsequent trips caused the burden to grow and that burden has now birthed The Project. The Project's over-arching burden is that God's name would be great among the nations. Mal 1:11
The nations that make up Hispaniola are among the poorest of the Western Hemisphere. The massive earthquake in Haiti has focused the eyes of the world upon the horrible plight of our Haitian brothers and sisters. While aid is so desperately needed, The Project seeks to address the spiritual plight of the lost in Hispaniola.
The Project is simple and biblical. The developement of a one year missionary/pastor training school is in the planning stages. The focus will be primarily on Haitian men who feel called of God to return to their home land of Haiti as Missionaries or church planters. Our prayer is that the training school will officially open in September of 2011. God continues to shape and direct our plans. As we move forward, short term training programs will be provided as often as possible. The first "official" training will be in June 2010 as we travel to the south side of Dominican Republic to Santo Domingo with approximately 30 Haitian Pastors for a 3 day John Piper conference. The important task of translating many study materials into the Creole language is currently being done by our faithful Haitian brother Rosvelt.
Through the providence of God, we have met Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ who desperately want to return to their country to share the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What stands in their way is the lack of basic biblical training, and the basic support necessary to sustain them and their families while a local church is planted. The Project seeks to connect the North American church with a Haitian church planter. The North American church will essentially "adopt" this native missionary as their own. Through regular communication and short-term mission activities, the North American church can play a vital role in the training and equipping of their own missionary in Haiti.
The Project goal is that God's name would be revered throughout the island of Hispaniola and beyond. Jesus Christ gave a simple and straightforward command, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;" Matt. 28:19-20
